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Soloway Wright LLP

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Soloway Wright LLP

Est. 1946. High-quality legal expertise. Innovative, practical, cost-efficient services.

09/04/2026

Effective October 1, 2026, Ontario’s minimum wage will increase from $17.60 to $17.95 per hour, while the student minimum wage will increase from $16.60 to $16.90 per hour.

Under changes to the Employment Standards Act introduced in 2021, Ontario’s minimum wage is adjusted on October 1 of each year, and the increase is based on the Consumer Price Index.

What does this mean for employers?
Employers should review their current hourly rates now to ensure they meet the new legislative minimums and make arrangements to implement the increases effective October 1.

Need help ensuring your workplace is compliant? Contact Shannon Sweeney and our Employment Law team: https://solowaywright.com/lawyer/shannon-sweeney/

09/03/2026

Congratulations to our 2027 Best Lawyers honourees!

We’re proud to announce that 15 Soloway Wright lawyers have been recognized in the 2027 editions of The Best Lawyers in Canada™ and Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in Canada™.

A special congratulations to Tara Sweeney, named 2027 Lawyer of the Year in Medical Negligence, Ottawa.

Best Lawyers recognition is based on confidential peer review, making these honours a meaningful reflection of recognition from fellow members of the legal profession.

Congratulations to all of our recognized lawyers!

Read the full announcement and learn more about our lawyers:
https://solowaywright.com/news/soloway-wright-lawyers-recognized-in-the-2027-best-lawyers-in-canada/

09/01/2026

What happens when a tenant’s lease is disclaimed in bankruptcy? Can the landlord recover damages for the remainder of the lease term?

In Curriculum Services Canada/Services Des Programmes D’Études Canada (Re), 2020 ONCA 267, the Ontario Court of Appeal considered the limits of a landlord’s claim under s. 136(1) of the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act.

The Court confirmed that a landlord has a preferred claim for three months’ rent under a disclaimed lease, subject to the applicable statutory conditions, such as the trustee realizing on any equipment/property on the premises under the lease. If that preferred claim is not fully satisfied, the landlord may claim the unpaid balance as an unsecured creditor.
However, the landlord cannot make an additional unsecured claim for damages arising from the disclaimer including rent for the balance of the unexpired lease term.

Read the full decision: https://www.canlii.org/en/on/onca/doc/2020/2020onca267/2020onca267.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com

For advice on commercial leasing, bankruptcy or insolvency matters, reach out to Nick Kruiper and our team: https://solowaywright.com/lawyer/nick-kruiper/

08/31/2026

Ambiguous language around the allocation of realty taxes even where a lease includes “reasonable” language can lead to costly disputes down the road.

In 100 Bloor Street West Corporation v. Barry’s Bootcamp Canada Inc., 2025 ONCA 447, the Ontario Court of Appeal considered how these provisions should be interpreted.

When negotiating a commercial lease, clearly define how realty taxes and other additional costs will be allocated. Vague or open-ended language can create uncertainty and potentially significant costs later.

Read the case: https://www.canlii.org/en/on/onca/doc/2025/2025onca447/2025onca447.html

For guidance on commercial leasing matters, contact Vanessa Carment or our Real Estate team: https://solowaywright.com/lawyer/vanessa-carment/

08/28/2026

Buying your first home? Don’t underestimate the role of your real estate lawyer.

At a recent First-Time Home Buyer Information Session, Soloway Wright real estate lawyer Jennifer David joined a mortgage broker and realtor for a collaborative discussion designed to help first-time buyers better understand the home-buying process.

Jennifer spoke about the lawyer’s role from the initial offer through closing, including:
-Understanding the typical timeline of a residential real estate transaction
-Protecting a purchaser’s legal interests
-Explaining the legal requirements of the transaction
-Searching title and identifying potential issues
-Understanding closing costs and other legal expenses
-Knowing what to expect on closing day

For first-time buyers, understanding what your lawyer does and when they become involved can make the process feel much less overwhelming.

Missed the July session? Jennifer will be participating in the next First-Time Home Buyer Information Session on September 17, along with Katya Murphy, Mortgage Broker, and Liam Bennett, Realtor, for a discussion designed to help first-time buyers better understand the home-buying process. The session is free to attend, just email [email protected] to rsvp.

Thinking about buying your first home? Reach out to Jennifer David or our Real Estate team at Soloway Wright to discuss how we can help protect your interests throughout the transaction: https://solowaywright.com/lawyer/jennifer-david/

08/26/2026

New case law alert: Atkinsréalis Construction (Pacific) Inc. v. GIP Construction Ontario East Ltd., 2026 ONSC 4785

A notable first for Ontario arbitration practitioners: Myers J. has released what appears to be the first judicial interpretation of s. 13(7) of the Ontario Arbitration Act, 1991: the provision governing whether an arbitration can continue while a bias challenge against the arbitrator is before the courts.

Key takeaways:
• A party seeking to stay an ongoing arbitration under s. 13(7) must meet a heightened “strong prima facie case” standard, not the lower “serious issue to be tried” threshold used for ordinary interlocutory injunctions.
• This reflects the strong presumption of arbitrator independence and the statutory preference for letting arbitrations proceed to conclusion before judicial review.
• Once that higher bar is met, however, the court found that being compelled to appear before an arbitrator subject to a strong prima facie bias claim constitutes irreparable harm, citing Vento Motorcycles v. Mexico, 2025 ONCA 82.

The underlying merits of the bias challenge remain undecided, with the court noting this is a preliminary assessment only. Argument is scheduled to conclude September 22, 2026.

Worth watching for parties navigating arbitrator-conduct disputes in complex construction arbitrations.

For more information, reach out to Lama Bakroun and our Construction Law team: https://solowaywright.com/lawyer/lama-bakroun/

08/25/2026

Behind the scenes at Ottawa’s Cliff Energy Centre.
On August 20, Soloway Wright lawyers Ursula Melinz (Municipal & Land Development) and Kris Dixon (Construction & Commercial Litigation) joined ULI Ottawa for an exclusive tour of the newly completed Cliff Energy Centre.

A landmark facility nestled between and behind the Supreme Court of Canada and Library and Archives Canada, the Centre is part of Canada’s largest centralized district energy system, providing sustainable energy to more than 80 federal buildings across Ottawa and Gatineau.

Our lawyers saw first-hand how energy infrastructure can be thoughtfully embedded within and complement the natural beauty surrounding it. We’re excited to see this wonderful new space, with its breathtaking views, open to the public very soon.

Learn more: https://nationalcapitaldistrictenergy.ca/en/energy-centres/

08/20/2026

Giving back is about more than serving a meal, it’s about sharing time, conversation and community.

The Soloway Wright team was proud to volunteer The Ottawa Mission Lawyers Feed the Hungry, serving a meal and spending time speaking with those who joined us.

It was a meaningful experience for our lawyers and staff, and a reminder of the impact we can make when we come together to support our community. We’re grateful to The Ottawa Mission for the opportunity and look forward to doing it again!

08/17/2026

In Leader Heating & Plumbing Inc. v. Aragon, 2026 ONSC 4324, released on July 24, 2026the Ontario Superior Court of Justice declined to reduce $525,000 in lien security to a developer’s proposed $149,265.

The decision reinforces the high evidentiary threshold for reducing lien security under s. 44(5) of the Construction Act, particularly where the amount ultimately recoverable turns on a disputed issue that is more appropriately determined at trial. The Court held that pro rata allocation of lien entitlement in condominium developments was a triable issue appropriately addressed at trial. Given that the underlying baseline contract debt remained highly disputed, the Court declined to vary the posted security.

While attention often focuses on the statutory consequences of improper or exaggerated liens under s. 35 of the Construction Act, Leader illustrates a different risk: where the underlying lien quantum remains genuinely uncertain, a motion to reduce security may not resolve the dispute and may instead result in further costs before trial.
Read the decision: https://canlii.ca/t/km7mw

For guidance on construction liens and security, reach out to Sarah Naughton and our Construction Law team: https://solowaywright.com/lawyer/sarah-naughton/

08/14/2026

Want to help your adult children financially during your lifetime while still keeping things fair in your estate?

A “hotch-pot” clause in your estate plan can help. It accounts for certain lifetime gifts when your estate is ultimately distributed, helping ensure beneficiaries receive an equitable outcome despite receiving gifts at different times.

Whether you’re helping with graduate school, a first home, or an entrepreneurial venture, thoughtful estate planning can help balance your intentions for your family.

Speak with a member of Soloway Wright’s Estate Planning team to see if a hotch-pot clause is right for your family: https://solowaywright.com/lawyer/jordyn-pimm/

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427 Laurier Avenue West, Suite 700
Ottawa, ON
K1R7Y2

Opening Hours

Monday	8:30am - 5pm
Tuesday	8:30am - 5pm
Wednesday	8:30am - 5pm
Thursday	8:30am - 5pm
Friday	8:30am - 5pm

Website

https://solowaywright.com/

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